Handle assembly for valves or the like



Dam. HQ, 1935. J CQHAN 2,@23,95E

HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR VALVES OR TH E LIKE Filed May 24, 1934 INVENTOR mrzgwm [01mm ATT RNEY Patented Dec. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES HANDLE ASSEMBLY FOR VALVES OR THE LIKE Mortimer J. Cohan, Bronx, N. Y. ApplicationMay 24, 1934, Serial No. 727,239

2 Claims. (01. 287-53) .Mypresent invention relates to a handle assemyblynwhich is; adapted to. be connected to valve stems or the like,. and more particularly to means ,whereby the handle may be conveniently connected to valve stems of various types and sizes. :Itisfound in practice that valve stems, such as are. ordinarily provided in radiator valves, faucets -andthe. like, are made in various types and diameters, and the handles provided therefor are adapted to. fit only the particular valve stems to which they are firstconnected. In order to meet -,.this. condition, the supply houses have been reuired to, carry large stocks of valve handles in various-sizes andtypes. As a result of this condition=, it is often extremely diflicult to obtain a Y handle whichwill fita given stem, when replacementisrequired, and; the replacement of an ena tire. Valve is necessary in many cases. to remedy the loss or breakage of a; valve handle. It will be apparent that such a situation involves considerable expense in maintenance and often results in great inconvenience.

The principal objects of the present invention, therefore, are to overcome the difficulties mentioned above. It is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a handle having means whereby the handle is adapted to fit various sized stems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a valve handle for the purpose aforesaid whereby replacement of lost or broken handles may be readily and conveniently made without affecting the valve installation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a valve handle of the character described which is economical to manufacture, simple in construction, durable in use and pleasing in appearance. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed out hereinafter and will be partly apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates.

With the foregoing objects in view, my present invention consists of the novel construction, arrangement and combination of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming an integral part of this specification. v

In the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated the preferred embodiments of my present invention,

Fig. l is an elevation of a valve casing with a handle embodying my invention applied to the stem thereof, the handle being shown in partial longitudinal section;

Fig. 2 is a cross section of Fig. 1 on the line 2-2;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a valve stem and handle embodying a modified form of my invention, the

handle being disassembled and shown in partial longitudinal section.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like ref- 5 erence characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views Ill designates the valve casing of a common form of valve presently used for water faucets and the like. Projecting upwardly from the casing I0 is the valve stem H, the upper end of whichis preferably provided with longitudinal ribs or flutes I2. Mounted upon the upper end of the valve stem II is a segmental collar comprising the two members I4 and I5 each of which is provided with lateral projections I6 and I! respectively. The members I4 and I5 are clamped upon the upper end of the valve stem II by means of clamping screws I8 which pass through the lateral projections of the members I4 and I5. The inner surfacesof the members I4 and I5 are also provided with longitudinal ribs or flutes I9 and 20 which are adapted to interlock with the ribs I2 on the upper portion of the valve stem II. In this manner the members I4 and I5 are secured to the stem II and are prevented from rotating relatively thereto.

The handle illustrated in the preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing is that commonly known as the four-arm type. It is to be understood, however, that the shape and form of the handle is immaterial to the present invention and that the handle may be composed of any suitable metal, alloy or other material. As illustrated in the drawing, the handle comprises a hub 2| and arms 22 which are radially disposed relative to the hub. The hub 2| is provided with a centrally disposed recess 23 having lateral extensions 24 on opposite sides thereof, the shape of the recess 23 being such as to provide for the convenient insertion of the segmental collar which is mounted on and clamped to the upper portion of the stem II. It will be apparent that the lateral projections I6 and I! of the members I4 and I5 will be engaged in the lateral extensions 24 of the recess 23, by means of which arrangement the stem I I is adapted to rotate in unison with the handle when the handle is turned. The hub 2| is preferably provided with an external thread 25. A hub cap 26 provided with an internal thread 21 and a centrally disposed aperture is loosely mounted on the stem I I and is adapted to engage the hub 2| for securing the handle to the stem.

In Figs. 1 and. 2 of the drawing I have shown an embodiment of my invention wherein the handle is placed over the end of the valve stem and is secured to the stem by the hub cap which is mounted on the stem. In Fig. 3 of the drawing I have shown a modified embodiment of my invention wherein the handle is mounted on the stem and is secured to the stem by the hub cap which is placed over the end of the stem. In the former embodiment the hub cap requires a centrally disposed aperture for mounting on the stem. In the latter embodiment the hub of the handle requires a centrally disposed aperture therethrough for mounting on the stem.

In connecting the handle to the stem as taught by the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, I first mount the hub cap 26 on the stem ll then I clamp the members l4 and I5 to the upper end of the stem H; then I place the handle over the end of the stem ll so that the members l4 and I5 are engaged in the recess l3; finally I draw up the hub cap 26 and screw it on tightly to the hub ZI. handle to the stem as taught by the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Fig. 3, I first mount the handle on the stem ll; then I clamp the members l4 and I5 to the upper end of the stem ll; then I draw up the handle 'to receive the members l4 and I 5 in the recess I3; finally I place the hub cap 28 over the end of the stem H and screw it on tightly to the hub 2|.

It is quite obvious that the connection of my improved handle assembly to the stem of a valve is accomplished with little effort. The members l4 and I5 may be readily adjusted by means of the screw I8 to engage stems of various diameters and types, thus permitting the same handle to be applied to a variety of valve stems and enabling the quick replacement of a handle when required. It will also be apparent that the structure is exceedingly simple and the completed assembly presents a valve handle which is attractive and pleasing in appearance.

In connecting the Although I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, I desire it to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the specific embodiments of my invention hereinbeiore illustrated and described, 5 but that slight changes in the details of construction are contemplated which will come within the scope and spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus illustrated and described my preso ent invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a valve stem or the like, of a segmental collar engaging the end portion of the stem and adapted to prevent relative rotation of the stem and collar bolts joining the segments of said. collar for clamping same to the stem, a handle having a grasping portion and a centrally disposed hub provided with a recess adapted for non-rotatively receiving said segmental collar, and a hub cap threaded to the hub for enclosing the segmental collar within the handle and for securing the handle to the stem;

2. In combination with a valve stem or the like having a fluted end portion, of a segmental collar engaging the stem, comprising two members each having a fluted inner surface adapted to interlock with the fluted portion of the stem to prevent relative rotation of the stem and collar, the members of said segmental collar having lateral extensions, bolts passing through said lateral extensions for relative spacing of the members to provide for engaging stems of various sizes,. a handle having a grasping portion and a centrally disposed hub provided with a recess adapted for non-rotatably receiving said segmental collar, and a hub cap threaded to the hub for enclosing the segmental collar within the handle and for securing the handle to the stem. l

MORTIMER J. COHAN. 

